Bachelor of Health Science (Physician Assistant)
This course is not offered in 2020.
If you are an experienced healthcare professional, the Bachelor of Health Science (Physician Assistant) course will provide you with the education to work in a team-based practice model.
Physician Assistants (PAs) have the knowledge and skills to extend the medical services of doctors under their supervision.
In this undergraduate course, you will receive a diverse and holistic learning experience. You will learn from specialist academic staff, JCU's overseas trained physician assistant educators, doctors, researchers, science teachers and nurses.
Part time available
Career opportunities
If you have the appropriate entry qualifications, you could become part of this pioneering and valuable profession. Physician Assistants (or Physician Associates) are widely recognised and are utilised in the USA, Canada, UK, The Netherlands, South Africa, New Zealand, Germany, India, Middle East, and in various Asian countries.
The interdependent relationship between the Physician Assistant and their medical supervisor is considered a defining feature of the profession, and distinguishes it from other healthcare roles. Physician Assistants are trained to perform many of the tasks previously performed solely by medical practitioners, including history taking, physical examination, diagnosis, and treatment.
Course highlights
You will benefit from:
- Learning skills that have the potential to be of significant benefit to rural, remote and Indigenous communities in Australia and internationally.
- Participating in progressive clinical placements during the first two years of your studies in general practice, emergency departments and hospital wards.
- Building networks and collaborating with fellow students during the course's eight residential intensive study blocks at JCU's Townsville campus.
- Flexible study options, with the majority of the curriculum being delivered externally/online.
Course overview
This three-year full-time JCU course (part-time study available in your final year) requires you to hold health related qualification with a minimum of Certificate IV (AQF level 4), or other qualification as approved by the Dean of the College of Medicine and Dentistry. You'll also need to have a minimum of two years full-time (or equivalent part-time) work experience in a health-related setting.
The first two years of the course are delivered via distance education; however, you'll be required to attend six on-campus residential blocks at the Townsville campus throughout this time. The final year of this course is a full year of clinical placements initiated with a clinical placement preparation week. The clinical component of the course can be undertaken full-time (one year) or part-time (over two years).
Among the topic areas you'll study are:
- Basic medical sciences, pathophysiology and clinical medicine
- Health promotion and disease prevention across the age spectrum
- How to access and interpret evidence-based medical information and incorporate it into clinical practice
- Integration and application of the knowledge, skills and attitudes required to provide patient care in a supervised, delegated team model with a medical practitioner
- Practising culturally and contextually appropriate health care for rural, remote, tropical and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander populations
- Techniques in patient interviewing and record documentation
- Diagnostic skills including history taking, physical examination, clinical investigation interpretation, clinical procedures and patient management
- Applying the principles of ethical, professional and legal practice within a supervised, delegated, multidisciplinary team model.
Professional Recognition
Graduates may apply for membership of the Australian Society of Physician Assistants (ASPA).
Important Requirements
Successful applicants require Hepatitis B immunisation, current Queensland First Aid and CPR certificates, a Suitability to Work with Children (Blue Card) and an Australian Federal Police check before undertaking placements. It is recommended that you complete these requirements by the end of your first semester/teaching period. For details, see:
How to apply
This course is not offered in 2019.
You must have a minimum of Certificate IV (AQF level 4) health qualification or other qualification as approved by the Dean, College of Medicine and Dentistry, plus a minimum of 2 years full-time (or equivalent part-time) work experience in a health-related setting.
Applicants will be evaluated based on the following criteria:
- Academic performance in Year 12 studies or in subsequent tertiary studies,
- Written component of the application form, and
- Demonstration at an interview of attributes suited to a career as a Physician Assistant.
Candidates will be selected for interview on the basis of their written application and academic results. Applicants will be selected for entry into the course based on their performance at interview, written application and their academic results.
Queensland Health requires all health care worker students be immunised against Hepatitis B prior to their first clinical placement.
Admission requirements are subject to final approval.
Pathway into course
An OP or ATAR is the score required for entry into most undergraduate courses. If you are not a Year 12 school leaver or do not have an OP or ATAR, you can be assigned an equivalent rank score. Ranks are calculated from previous study that you might have completed, either secondary, tertiary or vocational, or previous paid employment experience.
JCU offers pathway courses to help you move into a degree. Pathway courses provide you with an individualised study plan and specialised support as you transition to university.
Contact us to find about more.
Students are encouraged to undertake the Tertiary Access Course if they have not studied recently and/or want assistance making the transition to University studies.
Get prepared – bridging subjects
Bridging subjects are designed to fill any gaps in your knowledge. We offer maths and chemistry bridging subjects that can be studied on-campus in Cairns and Townsville. You may need to enrol in a bridging subject if you have not achieved the grade of ‘Sound Achievement or better’ in Queensland Year 12 maths or chemistry.
Handbook
Bachelor of Health Science (Physician Assistant)
| Handbook Year | 2017 |
Course code | 102010 |
Course type | Bachelor Degree (AQF Level 7) |
Division | Tropical Health and Medicine |
Award Requirements
Admission Requirements
Course pre-requisites | Health related qualification with a minimum of Certificate IV (AQF level 4) or other qualification as approved by the College Dean. A minimum of 2 years full time (or equivalent part time) work experience in a health related setting |
Minimum English language proficiency requirements | Applicants of non-English speaking backgrounds must meet the English language proficiency requirements of Band 3a – Schedule II of the JCU Admissions Policy. |
Additional selection requirements | Submit JCU internal application form by 31 October. Interview (by invitation). |
Post admission requirements | Immunisations: Students must provide evidence of being immune to hepatitis B and that they have been vaccinated or evidence that they are not susceptible for the vaccine preventable diseases (VPD) of Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR); Varicella and Pertussis. Professional experience placement is a requirement of this course and students may be engaged in roles where there is contact that would allow transmission of a VPD. Students are required to comply with the above requirement prior to commencing their first Professional Experience Placement or by the end of the first teaching period of their studies, otherwise their enrolment will be terminated. Clinical placement/professional practice: This course includes prescribed professional or clinical placements. Students may be required to undertake such placements away from the campus at which they are enrolled, at their own expense. (Note: health professional courses generally involve extensive professional or clinical placements). Further information about placements can be found at: Enrolment Policy – Coursework Students Suitability to Work with Children Card (blue card): This course includes prescribed professional or clinical placements that may involve contact with children under 18 years of age. Students are required to obtain a Suitability to Work with Children Card (which involves a criminal history check undertaken by the Queensland Police) before the start of the first placement. Students must retain a current Suitability to Work with Children Card for the duration of their course, as failure to do so will result in the termination of their admission to the course. For more information, refer to: Current Apply First Aid and CPR certificate: Students must hold a current First Aid Certificate before undertaking professional or clinical placements. Students are responsible for any costs associated with obtaining this certificate. Some professional/clinical placement agencies may require that students hold an advanced cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) certificate before undertaking a professional or clinical placement. Students are responsible for any costs associated with obtaining this certificate. Australian Federal Police check: This course includes prescribed professional or clinical placements. Some placement agencies may require students to produce a current Australian Federal Police check. This is in addition to the requirements for a Blue Card. If requested, students must provide written confirmation of clearance to the Clinical Placement Officer prior to commencement of clinical placement. Application documents can be accessed at: |
Academic Requirements for Course Completion
Credit points | 72 credit points |
Course learning outcomes | On successful completion of the course, the graduate will be able to:
|
Course Structure
CORE SUBJECTS
Level 1
Teaching Period 1:
MX1010:12 Introduction to Physician Assistant Studies 1
Teaching Period 2:
MX1020:12 Introduction to Physician Assistant Studies 2
Level 2
Teaching Period 1:
MX2001:12 Integrated Physician Assistant Studies Part 1 of 2
Teaching Period 2:
MX2002:12 Integrated Physician Assistant Studies Part 2 of 2
Level 3
Full Time – One Year
Teaching Period 1:
MX3001:03 Applied Physician Assistant Studies F/T Part 1 of 3
MX3002:09 Applied Physician Assistant Studies F/T Part 2 of 3
Teaching Period 2:
MX3003:12 Applied Physician Assistant Studies F/T Part 3 of 3
Part Time – Two Years
CLINICAL PHASE ONE:
Teaching Period 1:
MX3011:03 Applied Physician Assistant Studies P/T Year 1 Part 1 of 4
MX3012:03 Applied Physician Assistant Studies P/T Year 1 Part 2 of 4
Teaching Period 2:
MX3013:03 Applied Physician Assistant Studies P/T Year 1 Part 3 of 4
MX3014:03 Applied Physician Assistant Studies P/T Year 1 Part 4 of 4
CLINICAL PHASE TWO:
Teaching Period 1:
MX3015:03 Applied Physician Assistant Studies P/T Year 2 Part 1 of 4
MX3016:03 Applied Physician Assistant Studies P/T Year 2 Part 2 of 4
Teaching Period 2:
MX3017:03 Applied Physician Assistant Studies P/T Year 2 Part 3 of 4
MX3018:03 Applied Physician Assistant Studies P/T Year 2 Part 4 of 4
Campus
COURSE AVAILABLE AT | NOTES |
Townsville |
Candidature
Expected time to complete | 3 years full-time, 4 years part-time (only third year available part-time) |
Maximum time to complete | 5 years |
Maximum leave of absence | 1 year |
Progression
Course progression requisites | A student may not, except with the approval of the Division Deputy Vice Chancellor, enrol for any level 2 subjects until 24 credit points of level 1 subjects have been obtained. A student may not, except with the approval of the Division Deputy Vice Chancellor, enrol for any level 3 subjects until 24 credit points of level 2 subjects have been obtained. A student may not, except with the approval of the Division Deputy Vice Chancellor, enrol for any Clinical Phase 2 subjects until they have completed the requirements of the Clinical Phase 1 subjects. |
Course includes mandatory professional placement(s) | Clinical placement/professional practice: This course includes prescribed professional or clinical placements. Students may be required to undertake such placements away from the campus at which they are enrolled, at their own expense. (Note: health professional courses generally involve extensive professional or clinical placements). Further information about placements can be found at: |
Special assessment requirements | Students who fail a mandatory assessment in any subject will be required to undertake further directed learning and complete a supplementary piece of assessment in that subject. Students who fail a supplementary piece of assessment will be required to repeat the relevant year of study. |
Accreditation requirements | Not applicable |
Maximum allowed Pass Conceded (PC) grade | Nil |
Supplementary exam for final subject | Supplementary examinations are available, subject to current College and Division policies. |
Advanced Standing
Eligibility | Not eligible |
Maximum allowed | Nil |
Currency | Not applicable |
Expiry | Not applicable |
Other restrictions | Not applicable |
Award Details
Award title | BACHELOR OF HEALTH SCIENCE (PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT) |
Approved abbreviation | BHlthSc(PhysicianAssistant) |
This is a joint degree | No |
Inclusion of majors on testamur | Not applicable - this course does not have majors |
Exit with lesser award | Not applicable |
Course articulation | Not applicable |
Honours
Honours availability | Not available |
Eligibility | Not available |
This website is intended as general guide. Prospective students should contact the university to confirm admission requirements and the availability of courses. James Cook University reserves the right to alter any course or admission requirement without prior notice.